Daisy Gets Lost by Chris Raschka (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Daisy Gets Lost by Chris Raschka Jeannette Hulick Raschka, Chris. Daisy Gets Lost; written and illus. by Chris Raschka. Schwartz & Wade, 2013. 32p Library ed. ISBN 978-0-449-81742-1 $20.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-449-81741-4 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-449-81743-8 $10.99 R 3-5 yrs Long-eared dog Daisy (of A Ball for Daisy) is back; this time her ball-chasing leads her to encounter—and subsequently chase—a squirrel. In her enthusiasm to catch the squirrel, Daisy leaves her ball behind and becomes lost in the woods. Her young owner, realizing that Daisy has gone missing, searches for her, and a mournful howl from Daisy eventually leads the girl to her lost dog. The bold ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, in rich, saturated colors, carry the spare story; scenes that fill the spreads alternate, very effectively, with scenes broken into a series of panels that show a progression of events. Daisy’s initial pursuit of the bright blue ball, for example, is broken down into four narrow panels, each extending across the width of the spread; the following spread is completely filled as Daisy, ball in her mouth and ears cocked forward, and the squirrel make eye contact, thus slowing the action to focus on the dramatic weight of that moment. The lack of text (“Go get it, Daisy!,” calls for “Daisy!,” and Daisy’s desperate howl are the only words in the book), may make this a bit challenging to share with larger groups, but small groups and lap-sitters will enjoy figuring out the action from the pictures and narrating the events themselves. Young pet owners and animal lovers will especially enjoy the drama—and happy resolution—of this doggy tail, er, tale. Copyright © 2013 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois